For people struggling with Crohn's disease, increasing intake of vitamin D may help reduce risk of relapse. That's the finding of a recent study that followed 108 patients with Crohn's, an inflammatory bowel disease marked by inflammation, pain, and digestive problems.
For the study, participants took either 1,200 IU of vitamin D in supplement form or a placebo pill once daily for 12 months. By the end of the study period, only 13 percent of the vitamin D group had suffered a relapse (compared with 29 percent of participants in the placebo group).
Previous research shows that a number of alternative therapies may benefit people with Crohn's disease. Acupuncture, for instance, may help decrease disease activity, while hypnosis may help alleviate symptoms. What's more, research in animals suggests that maintaining optimal vitamin D levels may play a role in Crohn's disease prevention.
